Military Model Scene

News of a new kit planned from AFV Club this year is an interesting one to see in plastic, the American HAWK SAM system launcher.  AFV Club have some photos of a test build and they have been kind enough to share them with us.  They also have a set of notes to go with the kit:-

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During World War II, Germany was suffering from the Allies’ intensive strategic bombing. To shoot down a B-17 bomber by ground anti-aircraft weapons needed an average of 2,805 shots by 88 guns. At this time, military aircraft were entering the jet engine power era from propeller engines. The air defence system formed by traditional artillery failed to meet the future air defence demand in encounters with aircraft of greater speed and altitude. In order to destroy the target in the air in a greater distance, Germany, the United Kingdom & the United States began the study of ground-to-air missile in the late war period.
In 1954 after the war, the Nike Ajax was the first surface-to-air missile which entered service in the United States. It was designed to attack entire formations of bomber flying at high altitudes. However it was not able to withstand the high speed aircraft flying at medium and low altitudes which would accompany ground force in the Cold War. In order to meet the needs of medium & low altitude air defence missiles, the US Army Field Artillery Command brought forward a "Homing All-The-Way Killer" program. The aim of program was to fulfil the demand of medium range, medium & low altitudes defence, as well as the mobility to accompany the ground forces to provide protection. In July 1954 Raytheon started design of the missile while Northrop was responsible for development of the launcher, loader and radar systems. The first missile was successfully launched in June 1956. The missile and launcher were designated MIM-23A and M192 respectively in August 1957. It entered service with the US Army in 1959 and the US Marine Corps in 1960.
Improvements continued throughout after the service. The MIM-23B with smaller rocket motor was operational in 1972. Replacement of unstable vacuum tubes saved space and weight for a larger warhead. Operational range was increased from 25km to 35km. All US units had converted to this standard by 1978. In addition to the US military, there are about 25 countries in the world using MIM-23. Israel, Japan, Norway and Iran have developed specific upgrade & modifications for their own systems. It has been employed numerous times in battles and got victories.

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(Thanks to AFV Club for the news and the photos.)

Robin